Wheeled toy propulsion mechanism employing driver&#39;s weight



y 30, 1951 w. P. SPRATT 2,986,405

WHEELED TOY PROPULSION MECHANISM EMPLOYING DRIVER'S WEIGHT Filed Sept. 4, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. WILL/AM P SPRATT AT TOPNEVS W. P. SPRATT May 30, 1961 WHEELED TOY PROPULSION MECHANISM EMPLOYING DRIVER'S WEIGHT Filed Sept. 4, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Hi5 WILL/AM SPRATT B M W h/f ATTORNEYS WHEELED TOY PROPULSION MECHANISM EMPLOYING DRIVERS WEIGHT William P. Spratt, 1367 Kintyre Way, San Jose, Calif.

Filed Sept. 4, 1959, Ser. No. 838,244

4 Claims. (Cl. 280-226) The present invention relates to a propulsion mechanism, and pertains more particularly to a propulsion mechanism for wheeled toys, wherein the weight of a rider and the muscles of his legs are alternately employed to propel the vehicle.

In the past, various mechanisms have been devised wherein the weight of a rider, either rocking back and forth or moving up and down, has been employed to propel a vehicle. However, the prior art devices of this nature with which applicant is familiar are either quite complicated and expensive, or else they do not most effectively use the weight and muscle energy available upon an up and down movement of the riders body,

The present invention contemplates the provision of an improved propulsion mechanism which is particularly adapted to propel a toy vehicle by means of an up and down movement of the drivers body, his feet being supported on a step or in stirrups, and wherein the weight of a driver on a seat on the vehicle serves as a propelling force on a downward movement of the riders body, and seat return means provide a supplemental pro- 'pelling force on an elevation of the riders body by his leg muscles.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved propulsion mechanism for a wheeled toy vehicle wherein a seat or saddle is supported at one end of two pairs of oscillating parallel links, the other ends of the links being pivotally supported by the vehicle body, and a double clutch actuated drive mechanism, also supported in the frame, is successively driven in the same rotative direction by a pair of alternately clutch engaged levers moved rotatively in opposite directions upon each upward and downward oscillating stroke of the parallel links.

:1 A. further object of the invention is to provide an improved and simplified drivers-weight-actuated propulsion mechanism for a wheeled toy vehicle.

g These, and other objects and advantages of the invention, will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a three wheeled toy vehicle embodying the invention, concealed portions of the drive mechanism being outlined in broken lines.

7 Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of a wheeled toy horse embodying the invention, the drive mechanism also being indicated in broken lines.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 4.

' Fig. 4 is an enlarged, side elevational view of the drive mechanism of Fig. 2 as it appears when removed from the vehicle, portions being broken away Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 4. Fig. Fig. 4. Fig. Fig. 4. Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 4.

7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Patented May 30, 1961 Fig, 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 5.

Briefly, in the form A of the invention illustrated in Figs. 2-9, two pairs of parallel links 10 and 11 are provided, one pair being mounted directly above the other, on parallel, fixed axes 12 and 13. The links 10 and 11 are pivotally mounted on a frame 14, which is fixedly attached to a supporting vehicle, such as the vehicle B of Fig. 1, or the toy horse C of Fig. 2. r

The free ends of both pairs of links 10 and 11 are pivotally connected, in the form of a parallelogram, to an upright seat support 15 having a seat 17 (Fig. l) or saddle 18 (Fig. 2) mounted thereon.

A clutch drive assembly 19 is mounted within the frame 14, and comprises a clutch shaft 25 driven rotatively in a constant direction by successive clutch engagement with two bell crank levers 21 and 22 mounted thereon. The bell crank levers are driven in opposite rotative directions upon each downward and upward swinging movement of the lower links 11 and 11a by pins 23 and 24 on the levers 21 and 22, riding in slots 27 and 28, respectively, in the lower links 11 and 11a, respectively.

Cam and ball or roller clutches 31 and 32 (Figs, 5 and 9) mounted in the hubs of the bell crank levers 21 and 22, respectively, release the clutch shaft 25 except when the bell crank levers are turning in the direction of the arrow 33 in Fig. 4 faster than the clutch shaft 25 is rotating. Tension coil springs 34 and 35 tend to return the parallel links to their upper limit of movement when pivotally displaced therefrom. A drive belt 37 operatively connects a drive pulley 20 on the clutch shaft 25 to a pulley 38 on the vehicle axle 39 to propel the vehicle forwardly.

The weight of a rider (not shown) when applied to the seat 17 (Fig. 1) or saddle 18 (Fig. 2) urges the seat or saddle downwardly, while the springs 34 and 35 urge the seat upwardly when the riders weight is removed therefrom.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the two upperlinks 10 and 10a are pivoted on a common axis 12 and are mounted exteriorly of the frame side walls 14a and 14b, respectively. Each of the links may be mounted on pivot pins 40 (Fig. 8) with a spacing washer 41 interposed between each link and the frame 14. Each link is retained on its pin 40 by a usual G-washer 42.

The frame 14 is a sheet metal channel of suitable strength, mounted with its open side downward. The frame 14 is adapted to be secured within the body 43 of the toy horse C (Fig, 2) as by bolts 44 (Fig. 4).

The upright seat support 15 is pivotally connected to the free ends of the upper and lower links 10 and 11, respectively, by two pairs of co-axial pivot pins 47 and 48. The axes of these latter pins, are parallel to the fixed axes 12 and 13, and with them define a parallelogram. The seat support 15 has its upper end formed to support a suitable seat, such as the seat 17 of Fig. 1, or the saddle 18 of Fig. 2.

The clutch drive assembly 19 comprises the clutch driven shaft 25, having end portions 25a and 25b of reduced diameter and journaled in ball bearings 49 and 50, respectively. The latter are mounted one in each side wall of the frame 14. The spacing washers 41 on the pivot pins 40 (Fig. 8) space the links outwardly from the side Walls of the frame 14 so that the lower links will clear the bearings 49 and 50, the clutch driven shaft 25, and the sides of the frame 14, as shown in Fig. 5. The drive pulley 20 is secured to the clutch shaft 25 by a usual Woodruff key 51, and the bell crank levers 21 and 22 are mounted on the clutch shaft 25, one on each side of the drive pulley 20. The cam and roller clutches 31 and 32 of the bell crank levers 21 and 22 areof a well known type, as shown in Fig. 9, wherein a plurality of balls or rollers 52 which may be similar to those used in a conventional ball or roller bearing, are disposed symmetrically around the annular space 53 provided between the clutch shaft 25 and each bell crank levermounted thereon. The balls or rollers 52 roll freely relative to the shaft 25 when the bell crank lever 22 of Fig. 9 turns clockwise relative to the clutch shaft 25, and thereby allows free relative rotative movement between the clutch shaft and the bell crank lever 21. When the latter two are moved rotatively in the opposite direction, however, the balls or rollers 52 roll onto the sloping cam faces 54, and thereby lock the bell crank lever 21 and clutch shaft 25 together for driven rotation of the shaft 25 in a counter-clockwise direction.

The two bell crank levers 21 and 22 are substantially identical. However, the direction of the cam drive engagement is reversed between these two levers so that both will have driving engagement with the clutch shaft 25 when said levers are moved in the same rotative direction, namely, counter-clockwise as shown in Figs. 4 and 9, and will release such shaft upon a relative rotative movement in the opposite direction.

The pins '23 and 24, riding in the slots 27 and 28, drive the bell crank levers 21 and 22 in opposite rotative directions upon each upward and downward pivotal movement of the parallel links. An arcuate opening 55 (Fig. 4) is provided in the side wall 14b of the frame 14 to permit free, arcuate, movement of the drive pin 24 therein upon each up and down oscillating movement of the parallel links.

The coil spring 35 is connected under desired tension from the upper end of an upright arm 57 of the bell crank lever 21, to the lower link 11 adjacent its fixed axis 13, and the second spring 34 is similarly connected between the lower end of the corresponding arm 58 of the other bell crank lever 22 and the link 11a. The action of these springs, as is apparent in Fig. 4, tends to swing the bell crank levers 21 and 22 in opposite rotative directions to urge the lower links '11 and 11a upwardly.

The drive belt 37 passes around the drive pulley 20 of the clutch assembly 19, and also around the driven pulley 38 secured to the vehicle axle 39. The axle 39 has driving connection with at least one of the rear support wheels 60 (Figs. 1 and 2).

The operation of the propulsion mechanism A as shown in Figs. 2 and 9 is as follows: The coil springs 34 and 35 urge the lower links 11 and 11a toward their upward limit of swinging movement as described previously herein, thereby urging the saddle 18 also to its upward limit of movement. When a child mounts the vehicle, he places his feet in a pair of stirrups 61 provided therefor on supporting leathers 62 secured to the body 43 of the toy horse C, and allows his Weight to sink onto the saddle 18. This urges the seat support downwardly, and swings the free ends of all of the links 10 and 11 downwardly with it. During this downward swinging movement of the lower links 11 and 11a, the drive pins 23 and 24, riding in the slots 27 and 28, urge the bell crank levers 21 and 22 in opposite rotative directions, thereby turning the bell crank lever 21 counter-clockwise, and the other bell crank lever 22 clockwise. The bell crank lever 21, having clutch engagement with the clutch shaft 25 during its counter-clockwise rotative movement produced by this downward movement of the links, turns the clutch shaft 25 and the drive pulley secured thereto in the direction of the arrow 33 in Fig. 4, and, through the drive belt 37 and driven pulley 38, drives the rear support wheels 60 to propel the toy horse C forward.

As the saddle 18 reaches its downward limit of movement by engaging the body 63, if the rider allows his weight to remain on the saddle to hold it down, both clutches 31 and 32 will release, allowing the clutch shaft and the drive pulley 20 thereon to continue to rotate freely as long as the wheels move-to carry the vehicle ahead. If, however, the driver straightens his legs and raises his body, and thereby allows the springs 34 and 35, the tension of which was increased by the downward movement of the links, to swing the bell crank levers 21 and 22 in the opposite directions, such action will urge the links 10 and 11 upwardly about their fixed axes 12 and 13 and will thereby elevate the saddle 18. During this spring urged return movement of the clutch drive mechanism, the bell crank lever 22 is swung in a counterclockwise direction, thereby causing the roller clutch 31 therein to engage the clutch shaft 25, and there-by again urging the shaft 25 and drive pulley 20 in the same counter-clockwise rotative direction as that produced on a downward movement of the links to again propel the vehicle forward.

If desired, the rider of the vehicle may grip the seat during an upward movement thereof to thereby assist the springs 34 and 35 in their driving urge on the clutch shaft 25. As the seat returns to its upper limit of movement, the drive shaft 25 will again be freed from clutch engagement with the bell crank levers 21 and 22 for forward coasting movement.

Any suitable steering mechanism may be provided, for example the body of the horse C may be made in two parts C and C (Fig. 2) connected together by a pivot pin 36 so that the front portion C is steerable by means of the'reins 46.

The propulsion mechanism A for the vehicle B illustrated in Fig. 1 is constructed and operates substantially the same as that A illustrated in Figs. 2-9, and described in detail herein, as will be apparent to one having an understanding of the latter mechanism. The principal difference between the two is that the position of the drive mechanism is reversed, and the direction of clutch engagement is such as to propel the vehicle forward.

The invention provides a simple and effective mechanism for propelling a toy vehicle by intermittent application of the drivers weight to a seat element, and one which intermittently calls the legs muscles, and many of the other muscles of the body into play. The periods of muscular exertion as the body is elevated are interspersed with intermittent short periods of rest as the seat moves downwardly. This type of muscular exercise is considered very beneficial. Furthermore, particularly when the invention is embodied in a toy vehicle the appearance of a horse, as shown in Fig. 2, it provides a very realistic ride for a child.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be understood, however, that various changes and modifications may be made in the details thereof without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim'as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is defined in the following claims:

1. A propulsion mechanism for a toy vehicle for actuation by alternate up and down movements of a riders torso by means of his leg muscles, said mechanism comprising a vehicle body, a plurality of support wheels journaled thereon, a foot support on said body, two vertically spaced parallel links pivotally connected at one end thereof to the vehicle body, a seat support pivotally connected at vertically spaced points to the other ends of said links, the pivotal connections of the links defining a parallelogram, a seat upon the seat support, whereby a downward movement of the seat under the weight of a riders torso swings said links downwardly, spring means urging the seat and the ends of the links connected to the seat support upwardly when relieved from the weight of a riders torso, a clutch shaft journaled in the vehicle body, a pair of levers journaled on the clutch shaft, and extending in opposite directions from each other, means operatively connecting a terminal portion of each of said levers to one of the links, whereby said levers are swung rotatively in opposite directions upon eachlup ward and downward movement of the links, clutch means embodied in each lever and in clutch engagement with the clutch shaft when said each lever is moved in one rotative direction relative to the clutch shaft, said clutch means releasing said clutch shaft when said each lever is moved in the opposite rotative direction relative to the clutch shaft, and drive means operatively interconnecting the clutch shaft and a supporting wheel of the vehicle, thereby to impart a propulsive impulse to the vehicle upon each successive upward and downward stroke of the links and the seat mounted thereon.

2. A propulsion mechanism for a toy vehicle for actuation by alternate up and down movements of a riders torso by means of his leg muscles, said mechanism comprising a frame adapted to be mounted in a vehicle body having a plurality of support wheels journaled thereon, and having a foot support on said body; two vertically spaced parallel links pivotally connected at one end thereof to the frame, a seat support pivotally connected to the other ends of said links, the pivotal connections of the links defining a parallelogram, a seat on the seat support, whereby a downward movement of the seat under the weight of a riders torso urges the ends of said links having the seat support connected thereto downwardly, a clutch shaft journailed in the frame, a pair of lever arms journaled on the clutch shaft, and extending in opposite directions from each other, means operatively connecting a terminal portion of each of said lever arms to one of the links, whereby said levers are swung rotatively in opposite directions upon each upward and downward swinging movement of the links, clutch means embodied in each lever arm and in clutch engagement with the clutch shaft when said each lever arm is moved in one rotative direction relative to the clutch shaft, said clutch means releasing said clutch shaft when said each lever is moved in the opposite rotative direction relative to the clutch shaft, spring means urging the lever arms in a direction to swing the links toward a seat raising position, and drive means operatively interconnecting the clutch shaft and a supporting wheel of the vehicle, thereby to impart a propulsive impulse to the vehicle upon each successive upward and downward stroke of the links and the seat mounted thereon.

3. A propulsion mechanism for a wheel supported toy vehicle having a foot support thereon, said mechanism comprising a frame adapted to be mounted in the body of such vehicle, two vertically spaced parallel links pivotally connected at one end thereof to the frame, a seat support pivotally connected at vertically spaced points to the other ends of said links, the pivotal connections to the links defining a parallelogram, a seat on the seat support, whereby a downward movement of the seat support under the weight of a riders torso urges the ends of said links having the seat support connected thereto downwardly, a clutch shaft journaled in the frame, a pair of lever arms journaled on the clutch shaft, each extending lengthwise adjacent one of said links and in opposite directions from each other, means operatively connecting a terminal portion of each of said lever arms to the link adjacent thereto, whereby said levers are swung rotatively in opposite directions upon each upward and downward swinging movement of the links, clutch means embodied in each llever arm and in clutch engagement with the clutch shaft when said each lever arm is moved in one rotative direction relative to the clutch shaft, said clutch means releasing said clutch shaft when said each lever is moved in the opposite rotative direction relative to the clutch shaft, spring means urging the lever arms in a direction to swing the links toward a. seat raising position, and drive means operatively interconnecting the clutch shaft and a supporting wheel of such vehicle, thereby to impart a propulsive impulse to such vehicle upon each successive upward and downward stroke of the links and the seat mounted thereon.

4. A propulsion mechanism for a wheel supported toy vehicle having a foot support thereon, said mechanism comprising a frame adapted to be mounted in the body of such vehicle, two vertically spaced parallel links pivotally connected at one end thereof to the frame, a seat support pivotally connected at vertically spaced points to the other ends of said links, the pivotal connections of the links defining a parallelogram, a seat on the seat support, whereby a downward movement of the seat sup port under the weight of a riders torso urges the ends of said links having the seat support connected thereto downwardly, a clutch shaft journaled in the frame, a pair of hell crank levers journaled on the clutch shaft, each bell crank lever having one arm thereof extending lengthwise adjacent one of said links and in opposite directions from each other, means operatively connecting a terminal portion of each of said one arms to the link adjacent thereto, whereby said levers are swung rotatively in opposite directions upon each upward and downward swinging movement of the links, clutch means embodied in each bell crank lever and in clutch engagement with theclutch shaft when said each lever arm is moved in one rotative direction relative to the clutch shaft, said clutch means releasing said clutch shaft when said each lever moved in the opposite rotative direction relative to the clutch shaft, a spring connected to an outer portion of a second arm of each bell crank lever and urging each of the latter a direction to swing the links toward a seat support raising position, and drive means operatively interconnecting the olutch shaft and a supporting wheel of such vehicle, thereby to impart a propulsive impulse to such vehicle upon each successive upward and downward stroke of the links and the seat mounted thereon.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,564,548 Ford Dec. 8, 1925 1,739,628 Bemont Dec. 17, 1929 2,397,790 Kapusta Apr. 2, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS 180,922 Germany Feb. 5, 1907 603,051 Great Britain June 8, 1948 

